Profitability, sustainability and beyond: How can grocery retailers react to growing online sales channels?
Grocery retail is at a crossroads. Digital sales channels have seen a boom, reaching over 10% in grocery retail in some countries and urban regions. To avoid falling behind in a transforming landscape, grocery retailers must develop a successful business model as well as a successful supply chain and distribution network to support it. Explore strategies and learn how businesses can make the most of digital grocery. Read more.
Sustainable warehousing: Practical measures for emission and cost reduction
Few topics have gained public attention in recent years faster than climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the context of sustainable supply chains, the focus is often on transportation, yet logistics facilities, despite their central role, have not had the same extensive consideration. This study investigates ten key sustainability levers in warehouse design, infrastructure, equipment and operations. It focuses on the impact of each lever on GHG emissions and operational expenditures (OpEx). Dive in and take the first step towards a sustainable warehouse. Read more.
4flow trend monitor
The 4flow trend monitor combines advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis of primary and secondary sources with the market knowledge of 4flow research as well as the 4flow consulting, 4flow management and 4flow software business lines. Readers can expect actionable insights on the top 20 trends for logistics and supply chain management sorted into three sections: macroeconomics, sustainability and resilience, and digital transformation. In addition, a special focus is placed on AI and digital technologies. These sections address pressing and upcoming trends including generative AI, future computing, environmental sustainability, supply chain visibility, the labor environment and more. Supply chain decision makers can use the 4flow trend monitor as a resource to understand these upcoming trends and shape their strategy accordingly. Read more.
The future of retail supply chains
In response to social and economic trends, businesses need to continuously adjust and develop their products, services and corresponding logistics processes to meet consumer requirements and keep costs at a minimum. Dependent on customer demand, retail businesses must pay attention to trends to make strategic logistics investments.
Against this background, 4flow has published a pre-study on four key trends in the retail space – digitization, omnichannel retail, urbanization and sustainability. The implications of each trend for logistics and supply chain are discussed. Click here for download.
Warehouse automation and volatile demand – a strategic fit?
In this study, 4flow researchers use a simulation model to investigate the profitability of warehouse automation under different conditions. By comparing a manual and an automated warehouse solution, the study found that demand volatility, in addition to labor and equipment costs, plays a significant role in determining the ultimate profitability of a warehouse automation design. Standardized planning approaches, such as 3D layout planning and sensitivity analysis regarding cost and performance-relevant factors, enable supply chain decision-makers to make informed decisions in this situation. Visit our interactive study to explore selected results and apply them to different scenarios. For more context, the full study is also available for download.
Shipping, fast and slow – Balancing airfreight and sea freight in volatile manufacturing supply chains
In this study, supply chain researchers from 4flow investigate optimization strategies for balancing air and sea transportation in variable-volume supply chains in the manufacturing industry. The results demonstrate that in volatile conditions, a combination of both transportation modes leads to improved savings in total transportation costs when compared to a simple avoidance of air freight. Request your copy in English or Chinese
Wearables, Sensors & Co. – Making digital intralogistics a reality
In this study, 4flow conducted in-depth interviews with supply chain experts in the automotive manufacturing, automotive supply, and retail industries. These interviews revealed that while the digitization of intralogistics is progressing rapidly, there is still much left to do. In addition to a broad overview of current digitization initiatives, the study provides detailed examinations of a broad spectrum of digital technologies. Request your copy in German, English or Chinese
Logistics in retail and wholesale – Structures, success factors, and trends
Commissioned by BVL International, 4flow carried out this study in cooperation with the Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (HTW Berlin). Based on an online survey and interviews with supply chain decision makers from the retail and wholesale industries, the study analyzed emerging trends and investigated how logistics can contribute to company success. The study shows that supply chain professionals have a variety of ways to make a significant contribution to the success of a company. Request your copy in German
Costs and Benefits of Green Logistics
In this study, 4flow examined the opportunities presented by various methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using real-world scenarios, the authors analyzed the costs and benefits of 11 green logistics measures which were selected on the basis of their innovativeness, relevance, and practicability. The results show that cost efficiency and sustainability in logistics can indeed go hand in hand. Request your copy in English
How oil prices impact distribution networks for manufacturing and trade – Debunking the myth
In this study, supply chain experts from 4flow examined the connection between oil prices and transportation costs and to what extent oil prices influence the structure of distribution networks.The surprising finding? Oil prices have a minimal impact on the cost-optimal structure of distribution networks. Request your copy in German